Latest news with #Joneses
Buzz Feed
7 hours ago
- Business
- Buzz Feed
21 Bad Spending Habits That People Think You Should Avoid
Recently, u/theprop_trader asked r/AskReddit, "What's a "normal" money habit that secretly ruins people financially?" And we thought we'd share some of the top responses. "Underestimating upkeep." "Gambling in general is so 'in' right now, especially with the younger generation, it's honestly pretty scary." "Not leaving proper cushion in a budget for things to go wrong." "Not knowing the difference between being able to pay for something or being able to afford something." "Getting a new car every few years. I know a couple that finance their cars, get new ones before they are paid off and roll the old loan into the new one. The debt is staggering." "DoorDash." "Only paying the minimum payment on a credit card." "I believe the term is 'keeping up with the Joneses'. That kind of competition drains your bank account." "People who refuse to set up their own retirement plan if their work doesn't offer it. The only way I got through to my friend was telling her to imagine working the same job she now had (very physically demanding) when she was 70 and having to do it not for fun or extra pocket money but truly for a living. Sobered her right up." "Eating out when you have food at home. Also, letting groceries rot. Guilty of both, hence broke." "Buying stuff you don't really need with instalment payment." "Planning to save what's left over each month... which turns out to always be $0. Best move I ever did was starting to 'pay myself first' by having a portion of my check go directly into a savings account at a different bank." "'Buy three for 25% off!!!' For items you only need one of." "Taking out a loan with a longer term so the payment is smaller. Not sure if that 'ruins' people necessarily, but I have seen people trap themselves in some pretty bad vehicle loans this way" "This one is worth mentioning. My two rescue dogs cost more monthly than my Mercedes. Animals/pets drain your bank account. Not saying it's a bad financial decision (I work with and love animals). However, make sure you are financially comfortable to spend at a minimum $250 a month to feed and bathe them, plus whatever medication/regular blood work they need. Also expect $1,200 vet bills to be regular." "Not regularly checking your account(s)!!" "Something that could be ruinous – marrying and not discussing or combining finances. You're a team now. I know many couples where one doesn't have a clue about the others' or their joint money. If things go bad or if one is irresponsible, it could ruin you" "Storage lockers. I know it doesn't necessarily 'ruin' people. But it's just throwing money away, IMO. I realise it's helpful for a few months while in the process of moving or whatever. But long term? If you don't need or use the stuff you have stored away, why do you hold onto it?" "Thinking small expenses don't matter – $5 coffees, $10 subscription – but ignoring how they silently snowball into hundreds every month." "Pay day loans. I have a friend who has a Masters and a $120,000 a year job, borrowing $75 off my broke-ass, $45,000 a year salary, because she got into a pay day loan debt 20 years ago. I am by no means a money genius, but I will never do that." "Going to college for a bullshit major." H/T to u/theprop_trader and r/AskReddit for having the discussion! What are your own tips? Let us know in the comments below!
Buzz Feed
12 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
Social Norms People Are Completely Rejecting
There are things pretty much everyone does out of habit, politeness, or societal pressure — until someone finally says, "I'm done," and opts out. Whether it's skipping small talk or ditching social media updates, they just stop doing what's expected Recently, Redditor LazyMechanic3061 wanted to know about those things people are over when they asked: "What's a social norm that you absolutely refuse to follow, and why?" Below are the top and most often repeated responses people gave: "Posting every big life event, job change, buying a car, etc., on social media. I used to, but I know if anyone had actual interest, they would ask." —Tight-Message9940"That's not a social norm, that's just a social media norm."—Kruse "Out of control consumerism. I have zero desire to upgrade my car that runs fine, or to have the latest iPhone, or redecorate to follow some trend, etc. All of this need to appear to be better off than one actually is, spending money they don't really have, and for what? Appearances? Fuck people's opinions. IDC. I will never understand why so many people feel like they have to keep up with the Joneses, constantly spending and consuming to try to seem like they're 'with it'. It's ridiculous." —Own_Accountant_2618"It's crazy how many letters I got from dealerships after I paid off my car. 'Time up upgrade!' Uhhh, no, time to be stoked that I don't have a car payment."—crunchyfoliage "I will never understand why you would pay $100-plus to attend a live concert just to watch the whole thing through your phone's camera." —shootyoureyeout"THANK YOU! I finally found one I 100% agree I want to see a recording of the show, it will be on YouTube later with way better quality than my iPhone from the 80th row or even from the floor with 6' dudes bobbing their heads in front of me. JUST. LOOK. AT. THE. BAND! With the eyes God gave you!"—aurelianwasrobbed "I will wear white pants before Memorial Day if I damn well feel like it!" —21stCenturyJohnny"And after labor day!"—OkRepublic5837 "Asking people how they are if I'm not ready to respond to a negative answer." —throwaway31411235813"Don't say, 'How are you?' to someone you've never met, especially while they're at work. I know you don't care and don't want an honest answer. And I won't say it to you because I don't care either. We can have a pleasant exchange without getting fake personal."—Squid_ProRo "I'm a straight man who loves cooking, gardening, sewing. I like wine but don't like beer, and I choose white chocolate over dark. I have pink shoes that match my pink shirt. My favorite movie is Bring it On, and I'm a huge Taylor Swift fan. Why? Because I don't give a fuck what people think men should and shouldn't enjoy." —AnkleFrunk"My husband will drink a fruity drink if he wants to. He will wear pink if he wants to. He will have the most flamboyant shoes on and proudly show them off. He says he's 'peacocking.' And he doesn't give a freaking damn what anyone thinks. He likes what he likes, and that screams manliness to me because of how secure in himself he is. It's such a on keepin' on!"—MermaidOnTheTown "Living life for work and not living for life." —LastSpotKills"As a Gen Z dude, it drives me nuts seeing how many guys are only focused on working and getting money. Like I certainly am not a super star for health (a lot of it is genetic), but I get out, hike, shoot, ride horses, go to concerts, and fish. But a lot of these guys just go to work, watch football, and sleep."—kilroy-was-here-2543 "I won't treat anyone like they are on a pedestal. In my opinion, we are all humans… if you're a big boss or cleaning lady, everyone receives the same treatment." —OliveaSea"This is big for me, too. Hierarchies continue to exist when we play into them. My boss is my peer just like my coworkers, and I treat them all with respect, but don't shy away from healthy confrontation with any of them either."—uummmmmmmmmmmok "'Keeping the peace' and 'not rocking the boat.' I'm not giving up my own peace to keep the narcissistic asshats that clutter my life happy. Spent entirely too long doing it. Why yes, yes, I'll 'ruin the day' or 'be too serious' or 'just refuse to take a joke.' I'm half past giving a fuck and I'm just over and done with being a doormat dumping ground." —pardonmyass"My parents are both cycle-breakers from crappy families. They taught me family isn't just blood, and it's good to cut off a person who negatively impacts your life, regardless of DNA shared. I had to learn how to apply those lessons with some bad friends in my teens and early adult life, but I'm thankful my parents were able to shield me from a ton of family abuse and never told me to keep the peace."—magicrowantree "Make up, even as a teenager. It's a pain to apply, I'm not good at it, and now if I try to wear it, I feel like a clown, so I let my dark circles live their lives." —Fairfountain"Agree. I didn't even wear make up to my wedding. This is what I look like. There's nothing wrong with my actual human face."—skupalupa "Respecting your elders just because they are old. My grandmother is a monster who deserves not one single ounce of respect, yet she's given deference whenever she acts out in her racist and bigoted ways. Fuck her, fuck that." —mokes310"I'm finally coming to that realization at 50-damn-years-old. Talked to my big sister. Most of my uncles/aunts and especially our dad are all garbage people."—NoReference3721 "I refuse to play music, listen to podcasts, or watch videos through my phone speaker while in public." —powerandbulk"What's especially annoying is that most of the time people who blast music blast the same shitty music."—RadiantHC And lastly, "This is a very little and inconsequential one, but I won't wish people a happy birthday on Facebook. If I know them well enough, I'll tell them in person or with a text. If I don't know them well enough to do that, then they don't need to hear it from me at all." —IrenaeusGSaintonge"This is actually a good point."—mjflood14 You can read the original thread on Reddit.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
This family became the first to win a Stanley Cup and NBA title
This family became the first to win a Stanley Cup and NBA title Keeping up with the Joneses just got a lot more difficult. On Tuesday night, as Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones lifted the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career, the veteran skater's family completed arguably the most rare sports feat we've seen. The Joneses just became the first family to win both a Stanley Cup and NBA championship. It's a feat so stunning you almost don't think it could ever happen. Seth Jones father, Popeye, was a 10-year NBA forward who eventually won a title as an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. At the time the Nuggets won, it didn't seem like Seth was going to come particularly close to a title of his own anytime soon. The veteran defenseman was stuck as the captain of a Chicago Blackhawks club that had made itself nice and comfortable at the bottom of the NHL standings. That all changed this February, when Jones demanded a trade and found himself heading to the defending Stanley Cup champions days later. Fast forward a few months and Jones is lifting the Cup himself. Congrats to the Jones family, who we have to assume will come for Major League Baseball or the NFL next to keep adding to their mantle.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How Trump's ‘Art of the Deal' Translates To Your Personal Finances
President Trump built his entire brand around being a larger-than-life character. His gold-furnished buildings, flamboyant demeanor, golf courses and time on 'The Apprentice' turned him into a household name before he ran for president. Check Out: Trending Now: It's easy to assume that a billionaire real estate investor is difficult to relate to, but Trump shared various insights in his book 'The Art Of The Deal' that can strengthen your personal finances. Not everyone wants to build skyscrapers with their names at the top of them and even fewer people have the necessary drive to make it happen. However, these insights from his book can help you with your financial goals, regardless of where you are on your journey. Some people put themselves through significantly challenging workplaces and do hard labor just for a dollar. Some of these same people waste their money and don't end up with much in retirement, while others invest for long-term wealth. 'We were brought up to know the value of a dollar and to appreciate the importance of hard work,' Trump wrote. For You: Knowing how much time and effort it takes to get a good salary can lead people to make better financial decisions. It's easy to spend impulsively, but if someone realizes that they have to use their overtime money for an impulsive purchase, they may think twice. Unnecessary purchases are the equivalent of wasting hours of labor that you performed to receive your paycheck. Trump is a very competitive real estate investor. His book details creative ways that he used leverage to secure deals, get tax breaks and build his fortune. Part of his success has been his ability to outperform the people around him. That doesn't mean keeping up with the Joneses, but it does mean striving to become a better version of yourself. 'In college, while my friends were reading the comics and the sports pages of newspapers, I was reading the listings of FHA foreclosures,' Trump wrote. Regularly reading personal finance books and educating yourself on best practices will give you an edge over the competition. More importantly, you will put yourself in a better position to reach your long-term financial goals. Trump observed that this trend continued well beyond college. If you outwork everyone and work smartly, you're bound to achieve your objectives. 'I remember wondering if every successful person in Manhattan was a big drinker. I figured if that was the case, I was going to have a big advantage,' he wrote. Trump likes to set future goals. For instance, it takes several years for Trump to perform his biggest deals because of the logistics behind them. However, he stays focused on the present and explained this mentality near the start of his book: 'I plan for the future by focusing exclusively on the present. That's where the fun is. And if it can't be fun, what's the point?' You can set ambitious goals, such as having a $1 million portfolio within a decade. However, you also have to focus on what present actions you can take to move closer to that goal. You can look for ways to invest a higher percentage of each paycheck, reduce spending and pursue jobs that may have a higher salary. Gambling has become more prevalent in recent years. Options contracts right before earnings and sports betting are two of the growing trends that have captivated many gamblers. While you can enjoy a high from making a correct prediction, gambling will hurt your finances in the long run. Although Trump has made plenty of big deals, he never gambled. He wasn't afraid to wait a few years for deals to become more attractive and he remained realistic while looking at the numbers. 'If you go for a home run on every pitch, you're also going to strike out a lot,' he wrote. Ironically enough, Trump also alludes to the importance of finding great deals and not gambling while discussing his entry into the casino business. The prospect of legalized gambling caused Atlantic City properties to gain substantial value, but it wasn't a sure thing at the time. If gambling wasn't legalized, those properties' valuations would come crashing down. 'I thought it was a better bet to pay more for a sure thing,' Trump wrote. He waited for gambling to be legalized before entering the Atlantic City market. Even then, he waited a few more years because he thought Atlantic City real estate had become overvalued due to the excitement. Putting money into a sure thing instead of a speculative investment proved to be valuable for Trump. It's not easy to achieve meaningful financial goals like getting out of debt and retiring on a solid nest egg. While knowledge and skills are both important, Trump emphasizes the need to commit to your goals instead of getting flaky when challenges show up. 'Much more than you think, sheer persistence is the difference between success and failure,' Trump wrote. Persistence can get you out of debt. It can inspire you to look for new opportunities to boost your earnings and cut costs. A persistent mindset can also help you reach your financial goals despite all of the obstacles that are in your way. Editor's note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on More From GOBankingRates 5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 2025 This article originally appeared on How Trump's 'Art of the Deal' Translates To Your Personal Finances
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Are We Being Lied To?' — 55-Year-Old Making $150K Says He Thinks He's 'Middle Class' But Everyone Else Appears To Be So Much Richer
He's 55, brings in over $150,000 a year, has a mortgage, a retirement fund, little debt — and a wife who doesn't have to work. On paper, he's doing fine. But something about those yachts and beach homes keeps messing with his head. In a Reddit post titled "Are there a lot of rich people?" in the r/middleclass subreddit, a user wrote: "I think I'm middle class. At 55, I finally have some retirement money, a mortgage and not much other debt. My wife doesn't have to work and I make north of 150k in middle America." Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – "But I swear when I go to a coastal city and see all the boats and beach homes, I wonder if there are tons of rich people? Are we being lied to that it's only a few?" He's not the only one wondering. The Reddit comments came flooding in — some reassuring, some cold, hard math. "WAAAAY more than that. $2M isn't even top 5% anymore." "2 million household net worth isn't rich." "Every 10 years that 2 million of 'worth' will dilute about 500k of value." One user tried to add some clarity with stats pulled straight from the Richmond Fed's 2023 data: 50th percentile household net worth: $162,350 75th percentile: $553,100 90th percentile: $1.56 million 99th percentile: $11.6 million Based on that, another user estimated around 13.1 million U.S. households hold $1.6 million or more in wealth. That's about 10% of households — a number way bigger than most people assume. "Now that is on a nationwide basis," they added. "In the U.S., wealth and income is not evenly distributed with the coastal areas having both more wealth and more income." Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . Not everyone believed what they saw was real wealth. Several users suggested the coastal fantasy could be just that — a façade. "Maybe people are in debt to their eyeballs trying to keep up with the Joneses," the original poster wrote. Others backed that theory up: "As someone born and raised on Long Island, I can tell you half of those people living on the water are drowning in debt to maintain appearances. The other half are really rich though." "People that own beachfront houses on Long Island don't keep up with the Joneses. They are the Joneses." Actually... yes. According to the 2025 USA Wealth Report by Henley & Partners and New World Wealth, over 6 million Americans now qualify as high-net-worth individuals with $1M+ in investable assets. That's more than one-third of the world's millionaires — 37% to be exact. And they're not just in New York or Los Angeles. The San Francisco Bay Area, Miami, Austin, Houston, and Dallas have all seen double-digit millionaire growth over the last decade — with Scottsdale, Arizona leading the charge at 125% original poster's confusion is understandable. By income, he's well above average — even for his age bracket. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in 2023 was about $80,610. Pew Research defines "middle class" as anyone earning between two-thirds and twice that amount — which shakes out to a range of roughly $54,000 to $161,000 for a two-person household. So while the poster technically sits at the upper end of the "middle class" range, the goalposts have clearly moved. Many Redditors pointed out that perceptions are warped by social media, geography, and inflation. "$1.6 million household net worth is not beach house money. It's 'you will be able to retire' money." "It's a normal, low-key retirement. Watching your money and hoping you or your partner don't get very sick." The guy's question was simple — but the response was anything but. Yes, there are a lot of rich people. Yes, the bar for being "rich" keeps moving. And yes, some of those beach house neighbors might just be leasing the lifestyle with credit cards. But it turns out he's not alone in asking the question that started it all: "Are we being lied to?" Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'Are We Being Lied To?' — 55-Year-Old Making $150K Says He Thinks He's 'Middle Class' But Everyone Else Appears To Be So Much Richer originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
